Teen Titans

Teen Titans #0

/ / Comics

teen-titans-new-52-0-coverNever a huge Teen Titans fan to begin with, I’ve stayed away from the New 52 relaunch of the title with the exception of the first issue or two. However, I was curious enough to see how Teen Titans #0 would tell the origin of Tim Drake as the third Robin.

Like most of the New 52 origins, Tim Drake’s story gets streamlined and simplified more than necessary. We still get the young detective who searches for Batman’s identity realizing Batman doesn’t work nearly as well without a partner. But how he eventually gets Batman to accept is damn awkward.

Scott Lobdell’s writing aside (which is clunky and has a couple of huge plot holes) the story works for the most part up until Drake puts his family in danger by stealing from the Penguin. Yes, this earns him his face-to-face with Batman, but it’s hardly the work of the genius the book espouses him to be. The comic also doesn’t explain how Tim is able to continue being Tim, and live publicly with Bruce Wayne, with his parents in witness protection and the Penguin still after him. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Teen Titans return as part of Cartoon Network’s DC Nation

/ / TV News 
  • Title: Teen Titans
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Honestly, other than the catchy theme song I was never a big fan of Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans which was far too anime in style for my tastes. However, the idea of updating the characters and returning the New Teen Titans in shorts as part of DC Nation (the new DC programming block on Cartoon Network which premieres March 3rd) is an intriguing one.

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Teen Titans #1

/ / Comics

teen-titans-new-52-1-coverThis isn’t the first time I’ve said this about DC’s Reboot (and it probably won’t be the last), but I’m confused. Writer Scott Lobdell gives us the first issue of the Teen Titans featuring Red Robin (redesigned to look like the Falcon‘s sidekick), Wonder Girl (Cassie wearing a red version of Donna Troy‘s costume) and Kid Flash (who is probably Bart Allen, but never actually named).

In a world where super-hero youngsters are hard to control and potential targets for the secret government agency known as N.O.W.H.E.R.E. it appears Tim Drake has taken it on himself to form into a team. What’s unclear, however, is if the former Teen Titans (Nightwing, Starfire, Speedy, Beast Boy, etc.) ever existed in this version of the DCU. Is this the first time a team like this has been put together or is Drake just borrowing on the experiences of his predecessor?

Teen Titans #1 isn’t an awful first issue (the opening of Kid Flash aside), but for someone who was never a big Titans fan to begin with there’s very little here to bring me back for a second issue. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Teen Titans #93

/ / Comics

teen-titans-93-coverThe Red Robin era gets started as Tim Drake takes over the leadership duties of the team and the Teen Titans take a trip to Pakistan to help out a friend of Wonder Girl. The parents of Solstice have been taken by a demon, and its up to the Titans to get them back.

There’s quite a bit going on in this issue including a couple of members chaffing under the team’s new leadership (we’ll have to wait to find out what Ravager‘s issues with Red Robin are), the introduction of a new character who seems to be slotted in as a potential new team member, and the stark differences between Solstice and Raven.

The action itself isn’t all that special, but the interplay between characters and emotions of the team’s shakeup work quite well. I’m glad the team has its leader back, and even if their first test isn’t something I’d choose, it’s still a good beginning. It also doesn’t hurt that we get another issue drawn in the clean, sleek and vibrant style of Nicola Scott. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Teen Titans #92

/ / Comics

teen-titans-92-coverSadly, and much too soon, Damian‘s days with the Teen Titans come to an end. Sigh.

The second-half of the Red Robin crossover finds the Titans with a whole mess of Calculator androids to take down, robots to fight, and a super-villain to defeat.

I have to say I’m disappointed that Damian isn’t going to stay with the team, but I do like Batman‘s epilogue at the end noticing his short stint on the Titans has already made small changes to how he operates in the field.

Drake is a better fit for the team, but it’s still a bit unclear (given the ending and Red Robin’s current storylines) whether Drake is staying with his old teammates or leaving as well. I think the book needs at least one Robin on the squad (and I wouldn’t be adverse to both on the same team).

A good wrap-up to the storyline, but a bit of a meloncholy one if neither of these characters is back next month. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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